Three-color writing implement



P 1952 vl P. KOLLSMAN 2,608,953

THREE- COLOR WRITING IMPLEMENT Filed April 12, 1949 ZOV I INVENTOR. ;DOUBLE MNE 6 'CM/WM WRITING.. g' #W g. W

lul. ArronNEY.

Patented Sept. 2, 1952 ;UNITED nnonce Kolls m 'an, New York N.

u Application April 12, 1949,'seria1 NL'8ee39 u 2 Claims. r (Cl. 12o 42.12

This invention relates to improvements in writingimplements of the type permitting 'the writer togchoosebetwen several-colors.

The idea of providing ina single writing impl'ennt a plurality of colors optionally usable by the writer is basically notnovel. For example, multi-col or pencils have been known for many years in which a number of projectable'and retractable point of different colors is arrangedvof which one point at a time may be projected into writing position 'while the other points remain retracted. Change from one color to another in this typeof pencil involves manipulation of the ret'racting and projecting mechanism which' requires a certain amount of time depending on the dexterity of the writer, Multi-color fountain pens have also been pro- I posed in which a plurality of permanent nibs at well known tendency of an uncovered nib exposed tofair' to dry up in a degree sufficient to impe'de the flow of ink from the nib when the nib 'is taken into use after temporary non-use. An-` other 'disadvantage of the aforementioned triple nib 'fountain pen is the dificulty of bringing. each nib into proper writing position due to the fact that it is obscured by the two nibs above 'it The present invention provides an improved multi color writing implement, more particularly of the three-color type, which is free from the aforementioned disadvantages. The novel and improved implement 'is 'ready for instantaneous use at all times, permits instantaneous changing from' one color to another without manipulation of' any mechansm and is soconstructed that the writing 'is' not obscured. The improved implement includes provision for automatic and 'correct indexing of its' several writing pointsi and provides means for visible indication of the color of the point which happens to be in writing position; This is achieved in an ingenious arrangement of the color markings such that it is practicallyimpossible .to cover up the marks regard-, less orhow th implement is being held, thus permitting checking of the color without necesity ofinoving a single finger from the proper writing position with respect to the implement; i

Thevarious objects, features and advantages of 'this *inventionwill appear more fully' fromthe detailed"description which follow's accompaned by drawings-showing, for the purpose of illustration, a preferred embodiment of the invention; The invention also consists in certain new and original features of Construction and combina` tion p of elements hereinafter set forth and claimed. I i Althoughthe characteristic features of' this in vention which -are believed to be novel will be particularly pointed out in the claims appended hereto, the invention itself, its objects and ad,- vantages, and the-manner in which it may be' carried out may be better understood by referring to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings'forming a part of it in which:

Figure 1 is a sectional side view of a three 'color ball point pen embodying the invention; o Figure 2 is a crosssectional view of thepen; the section being taken on line 2-4 of`Figure'1; Figure 3 is a front view of the pen of Figure I with the cap removed; Figure 4 is a side'view of the pen in writing position; V i

' Figure 5 isa perspctive viewof the' pen of Figure 4 with'the cap removed; and

Figure 6 is a sample of double line writing produced by the novel pen. I

In the following description and in the claims various details will be identifiedby specificnames for convenience. 'I'he names, however are intended to be as generic in their 'application as'the art will permit. Corresponding reference characters refer to corresponding parts in the several figures of the drawings. V In the drawings accompanying, and forming part of, this specification, certain specific disclosure of the invention is made for the purpose of explanation of broader aspects of the invention; but it is understood that the details may be modified in various respects without departure from the broadprinciples of the invention, 'and that the invention may be applied to other struc turesv than the ones shown. i The ball point pen shown in Figures 1. t; o,3 comprises a hollow barrel Il having three 'sub stan'tially fiat outer surfaces !2, |3 and ld adapted to rest on the thumb, the index finger andvthe middle finger of the user. The three surfaces !2, [3 and [4 lie at an angle'of substantially with respect to one another and have ridges !5, IG and I'I between them. i

The barrel ll is tapered towards either end. the front taper being indicated at 48 and the rear taper at s. A shoulder 20 liesbetween the tapered front portion and the tapered rear portion at the point of largest circumference of the barrel. This shoulder provides a. positive stop for a cap 2l preferably of metal which may be frictionally attached to the barrel by telescoping it over the barrel until it comes to rest against the shoulder. The cap ZI has a configuration, in cross section, corresponding substantially to that of the barrel. It covers the front portion of the barrel if attached as shown in Figure 1, and it provides an extension of the barrel, if it 'isattached to the rear portion, as is also shown in Figure i. It is preferable to locate the shoulder 20 within the rear half portion of the barrel rather than at or near its center portion in order to obtain a substantial extension in length of the pen when the cap is attached to the rear portion for writing. and to obtain a substantial reduction of the total length of the pen for convenient carrying of the pen when 'the cap is attached to the front portion. i

The interior of the barrel is provided with three separate ink compartments which may or may not be formed of thematerial of the barrel itself... Preferably the ini; compartments are made separate from the barrel. For this purpose the barrel may be provided with a single interior cavity 22 of substantially clover leaf shape in cross section? accommodating three substantially cylindrical cartridges 23, 24 and 25. These cartridges for-m the subject matter of applicant's copending application Serial Number 86,940, filed April 12, 1949, now Patent Number 2,585,016.

Taking cartridge 23 as an .illustrative example of the Construction of the cartridges, each cartridge comprises a substantially cylindrical shell 26 the forward end of which is closed by an end wall 21 from which a duct 28 extends. The duct 28 terminates, .in a ball socket 29 within which a ball' 30 is -mounted with freedom to rotate in the socket. The socket 29 is preferably o'ifset with respect to the axis of the shell 26. A portion of the ball 30 is exposed, the exposed portion lying substantially at right angle with respect to the axis of the shell 26.

The cartridges 23, 24 and are preferably arranged within the barrel ll in wall-to-wall contact with one another andare held within the barrel portions of the cavfity of substantially the same radius as the .radius of the cartridge shells. In this manner a definite placement of the car'tridges in the bar'el "l .l is insured with respect to the surfaces I2, l-`3 and ll. y

The interior cavity ?22 of the barrel includes a front shoulder 3! extending .substantiallynormal with respect to the axis of the barrel. The interior cavity extends beyond the shoulder -3l with a portion 32 of reduced width termina'ting ina front aperture 33 of substantially triangular shape. The points .oLf the .triangle of theaperture 33 are preferably rounded to fit the outside of the ducts 23 extending from the three cartridges. Referring to Figure '3 the 'ball points .30, :34 and 35 in their respective sockets '29, 36 'and 31 are shown to form a triangle inverted with respect to the triangle formed'by the rsides 512, !3 and l4 of the barrel.

.The front portions o'f the Cartridge ducts, or their respective sockets`29, 35 and 31 are preferably in wall-to-wall contact 'and extend slig htly beyond the 'front end 38 of the b arrel.

"The three cartrid ges are preferably identical in dimension, so 'that 'the three. 'hall points project an equal distance 'from the barrel, while the rear ends 39 of the cartridges also lie in one plane.

` The cartrdges are seourely held in the barrel by a' threaded plug '39 having .a vent passage 50 therethrough and bearing against the rear ends of the cartridges. The threads 4| of the plug fit into three threaded peripheral portions of the barrel, one portion being shown at 42, the diametrically opposite portion of the barrel being without threads due to the clover-leaf shape of the interior cavity, the unthreaded portion being shown at 43.

The barrel is provided with three recesses 43, 44 and 45 into which color markers 46, 41 and 48 are inserted to indicate the color' of the ink contained in cartridges 23, 24 and 25 respectively. Thus the color marker 46 is associated with the cartridge 23. This marker may be a strip of red plastic embedded in the recess 43 to indicate that the cartridge 23 contains red ink. The mark 41 is associated with the cartridge 24.

'It may be a strip of green plastic material to indicate that the Cartridge 24 contains green ink. Finally the marker 48 may be black to indicate that its .associate Cartridge contains black ink.

The use of the pen is obvious from the foregoing description. Being of substantiallyitriangular cross section thebarrel l l rests securelybetween the thumb, index and iniddlefinger ofthe user's .hand in 'a ,position in which one of the ball points lies bottom-most in writing position. In the position' in' 'which' the pen is held .in the user's hand a ridge with its color marking faces the 'user and indicates the color of the ball point which is in writing position. Since the color marker extends along the ridge rather than along .the .flattened surface of the barrel it is never obstructed by the write'fs' fingers.

If a change in color is desired the .pen is simply rotated in the writer's hand and again comes to rest automatically in a; proper writing 'position due to the automatic indexing achieved 'by the unique relationsh'ip of the fia'ttened'surfaces with respect to the ball points. v

The shape of the harrel offers the advantage of preventing the penffrom rolling on 'th'e 'fiat or inclined surface and automatically' insures the proper location of a writing point with respect to the writing surface, so that an accidental contact of more than one point with writing surface is ,prevented.

Nevertheless, due to the unique Construction and arrangement .of the three writing points, it is possible to bring two "points to'bear on the writing surface at one time,.if this is de's'ired by the writer for the purpose o'f achieving special decorative writing effects as .shown 'in 'Figura 6.

r This effectis relatively easily produced'by holding the pen in such a way 'that the ridges, rather than the fiat surfaces. rest against the fingers. This position .is not uncomfortable, and it ,is quite easy to move the barrel into the proper position for double -line writing. Nevertheless, unless it is specifically intended -to produce a double-line-efiect the barrel moves naturally and automatically into ,a position in which only one point contacts the writingsurface, thecolor being indicated by the r'idge marking.

'In the event of -decorative double-line writing theridge marks again .are -useful for determining the ink colorsabout .to be used. .Inthe doubleline positiontwomarkersare visible to the writer instead of onerand the corresponding two colors are the ones which appear ton the writing sur- V face.

The improved Writing 'implement embodying the nventon is very .convenient to carry since it can be made extremely short for carrying in a pocket, Vest pocket, or pocketbook with the cap placed over the front end to cover the points. Its length is greatly extended when the cap is placed on the rear end.

The writing implement permits of six different color choices, including three single colors and three two-color combinations. The pen is attractive in appearance, simple to manufacture and is extremely convenient to use since no mechanical adjustments or manipulations are required for changing from one color to another.

One of its major features is the automatic indexing of the points, accomplished by the unique shape of the barrel in combination with the angular arrangement of the three points with respect to the surfaces of the barrel resting against the writer's fingers. The color markings are unobstructed at all times and indicate the ink color regardless of whether the pen is being held in a position for single-line writing or whether it is being used to produce decorative double-lines.

Empty cartridges are easily replaced either one by one or all at one time. The clover-leafshaped cross section of the interier cavity of the barrel aids in leading the cartridges into proper position. The reduced front portion 32 of the cavity aids in guiding the ofiset duct portions of the cartridges into proper seating position.

Since the front end of the pen containing the three writing points is extremely small the point or points temporarily not used do not obstruct the writing surface and are comparable in shape and size to the point of conventional single color ball point pen.

The use of the ball points in the implement gives the advantage of instantaneous starting. Thus the troublesome drying up commonly found in fountain pens does not occur.

For the foregoing it is apparent that the invention provides an extremely useful writing implement whose features are unmatched by known or heretofore proposed multi-color writing implements of the pencil or fountain pen type.

What is claimed is:

1. A three-color writing implement comprising in combination, a hollow barrel having three substantially fiat outer surfaces adapted to rest on the thumb, index finger and middle finger of a writer, the said surfaces lying at an angle of substantially 60 degrees with respect to one another; three removable ink cartridges lying in said barrel in wall-to-wall contact with one another, each of said cartridges having an extension of a smaller diameter than the diameter of the respective cartridges, said extension terminating in a ball point and socket extending from the forward ends of the barrel, said extensions lying in wall-to-wall contact with one an- 5 other at said sockets, said barrel having provision for positively engaging said extensions in a position in which the three extensions form corners of a triangle inverted with respect to the triangle formed by said three surfaces; a plug attachable to the rearward end of the barrel for engaging the ends of said cartridges to hold them in the position in which their extensions project from the forward end of the barrel; and color markings on the barrel, one of the markings facing upwardly to indicate the color of the ink oi the respective Cartridge whose extension is lowermost and in writing position.

2. A three-color writing implement comprising in combination, a hollow barrel having three substantially flat outer surfaces adapted to rest on the thumb, index finger and middle finger of a writer, the said surfaces lying at an angle of substantially 60 degrees with respect to one another, there being ridges between adjacent surfaces, the barrel comprising three separate ink Compartments; a tubular projection associated with, and in communication with, each of said Compartments, said proj ection terminating in a ball point and socket extending from the forward end of the barrel, said sockets being of smaller diameter than the respective cartridges of which they form a part, the three sockets lying in wall to wall contact and forming corners of a triangle inverted with respect to the triangle formed by said three surfaces; and color markings on the ridges of the barrel to indicate the color of the ink in the respective compartments whose extension and ball point is lowermost and in writing position in the position in which the implement is being held in the writer's hand.

PAUL KOLLSMAN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PAVTENTS 

